Discourse connectors are the joints of argumentative Spanish — the words that tell the reader what move you are making: introducing, adding, contrasting, justifying, concluding. En primer lugar… asimismo… sin embargo… por consiguiente… en definitiva. Without them, the propositions remain but the shape of the argument collapses. A B2 essay without discourse connectors reads as a list of sentences. With them, it reads as an argument.
This page is the B2 inventory you need for an opinion piece, school essay, presentation, or business email. It maps each connector to its function and register, and flags the subjunctive triggers (de ahí que) hidden in the formal column.
The function × register matrix
The whole system fits on one table. Pick the column that matches the register you want, then the row that matches the move.
| Function / move | Neutral / journalistic | Formal / academic |
|---|---|---|
| Introduce / open | para empezar, en primer lugar | en primer término, de entrada |
| Add / develop | además, también, por otra parte, por otro lado | asimismo, igualmente, a su vez |
| Contrast | sin embargo, en cambio, pese a | no obstante, ahora bien, con todo |
| Cause / premise | porque, ya que, puesto que | dado que, debido a (que), en virtud de |
| Consequence | por (lo) tanto, así pues, por eso | por consiguiente, en consecuencia, de ahí que + subj. |
| Exemplify | por ejemplo, en concreto, pongamos | a saber, verbigracia (literary) |
| Reformulate / clarify | es decir, o sea, en otras palabras | esto es, dicho de otro modo |
| Conclude / close | en resumen, en conclusión, finalmente | en definitiva, en suma, en última instancia |
The workflow: pick the move first (am I adding? contrasting? concluding?), then pick the register slice. Trying to memorise the connectors alphabetically is the slow path — memorise them by what they do.
Introducing — en primer lugar, para empezar, de entrada
En primer lugar is the workhorse of structured essays and presentations. Para empezar is one notch more conversational. De entrada is a peninsular favourite ("from the outset / right off the bat") and is slightly more rhetorical.
En primer lugar, conviene aclarar qué entendemos por «inteligencia artificial» en este debate.
First of all, it is worth clarifying what we understand by 'artificial intelligence' in this debate. (academic)
Para empezar, no todo el mundo tiene acceso a la misma educación, y eso lo cambia todo.
To begin with, not everyone has access to the same education, and that changes everything. (op-ed)
De entrada, la propuesta del Gobierno tiene un problema de fondo: no está financiada.
From the outset, the Government's proposal has a fundamental problem: it isn't funded. (journalistic)
The natural pair for en primer lugar is en segundo lugar, then por último or finalmente to close — the most common scaffolding in peninsular essay writing.
Developing — además, también, asimismo, por otra parte
These add to a point already made — the most frequent connectors in everyday argumentative Spanish.
- Además — neutral workhorse "moreover, what's more, also." Works everywhere.
- También — "also, too," lighter than además, often for parallel additions of the same kind.
- Asimismo — formal-academic "likewise, in the same way," one notch above además.
- Igualmente — similar to asimismo, slightly more emphatic.
- Por otra parte / por otro lado — introduces a related but distinct additional point. Crucially additive, not adversative — a Spanish reader expects another supporting argument after them, not a contrast.
La reforma reducirá las emisiones de CO2. Además, generará nuevos puestos de trabajo en el sector renovable.
The reform will reduce CO2 emissions. What's more, it will create new jobs in the renewable sector.
El informe recomienda reforzar el presupuesto de la sanidad pública. Asimismo, propone una revisión completa del sistema de copago.
The report recommends strengthening the public health budget. Likewise, it proposes a complete overhaul of the co-payment system. (formal)
Por otra parte, conviene tener en cuenta las consecuencias a largo plazo.
On the other hand, it is worth bearing in mind the long-term consequences.
A note on asimismo: it is one word, formal "likewise." Don't confuse it with así mismo (two words, "just like that") or a sí mismo (three words, reflexive "to himself").
Contrasting — sin embargo, en cambio, no obstante, pese a
The B2 contrast inventory bridges from pero (everyday "but") to the full advanced adversative system: sin embargo (neutral-formal "however," essay default), no obstante (one notch up, bureaucratic-academic), en cambio ("in contrast," often for parallel contrast), pese a / a pesar de ("despite," takes a noun phrase, infinitive, or que + clause), ahora bien (pivot connector, "that said").
El proyecto cuenta con respaldo institucional. Sin embargo, su financiación sigue sin estar asegurada.
The project has institutional backing. However, its funding is still not secured.
A pesar de la crisis, el sector turístico ha cerrado un año récord.
In spite of the crisis, the tourism sector has closed a record year.
Es cierto que las cifras han mejorado. Ahora bien, no debemos cantar victoria todavía.
It is true that the figures have improved. That said, we shouldn't declare victory yet. (op-ed)
A common B2 trap: por otra parte feels like it should mean "on the other hand" in the contrastive sense. In Spanish it is additive, not contrastive. For genuine contrast use en cambio or sin embargo. The deeper advanced inventory (antes bien, por el contrario, si bien) is covered in adversative-advanced.
Justifying — porque, ya que, puesto que, dado que, debido a
These introduce a cause or premise, graduated by register.
- Porque — everyday "because"; always clause-introducing, indicative for actual reasons.
- Ya que — neutral-formal "since"; slightly more written than porque.
- Puesto que — formal "given that, since"; common in essays.
- Dado que — formal-academic "given that"; common in scientific and journalistic writing.
- Debido a (que) — "due to / owing to." Debido a + noun; debido a que + clause.
No pude asistir a la reunión porque tenía una cita médica.
I couldn't attend the meeting because I had a doctor's appointment.
Puesto que el plazo ha expirado, no podemos aceptar más solicitudes.
Given that the deadline has expired, we cannot accept any more applications. (formal)
Dado que la propuesta no contó con consulta pública, su legitimidad ha sido cuestionada.
Given that the proposal was not put to public consultation, its legitimacy has been questioned. (journalistic)
El vuelo se ha retrasado debido a las condiciones meteorológicas.
The flight has been delayed due to the weather conditions.
A common error: starting a paragraph with porque… in essay writing. As an answer to a question (¿Por qué no viniste? — Porque no me apetecía) it's fine, but in extended prose it leaves the reader looking for the missing main clause.
Consequence — por (lo) tanto, así pues, por consiguiente, de ahí que
For full coverage, see the result conjunctions page. The B2 essential set: por (lo) tanto (neutral-formal "therefore," essay default), por consiguiente / en consecuencia (formal-bureaucratic "consequently"), así pues (essayistic "thus," pivots to conclusion), de ahí que + subjunctive (formal "hence" — always locks the subjunctive).
Los datos no son representativos; por lo tanto, las conclusiones deben tomarse con cautela.
The data are not representative; therefore, the conclusions must be taken with caution. (academic)
El precio del alquiler en Madrid ha subido un 20 %. De ahí que muchos jóvenes hayan tenido que volver a casa de sus padres.
Rent in Madrid has gone up 20 %. That is why many young people have had to move back in with their parents. (note: hayan, perfect subjunctive)
Exemplifying — por ejemplo, en concreto, a saber
Por ejemplo works in every register. En concreto ("specifically") restricts a general claim to a particular instance. A saber is the formal "namely," listing specifics after a general statement.
Muchas ciudades europeas tienen un sistema de carriles bici eficiente. Copenhague, por ejemplo, ha invertido décadas en su red.
Many European cities have efficient cycling networks. Copenhagen, for example, has spent decades building its network.
El estudio analizó tres variables, a saber: edad, género y nivel educativo.
The study analysed three variables, namely: age, gender and education level. (academic)
Reformulating — es decir, o sea, esto es
Es decir is the neutral "that is to say." O sea is the conversational "in other words, I mean" — common in spoken peninsular Spanish but chatty in writing. Esto es is the academic equivalent of es decir. Dicho de otro modo ("put another way") introduces a paraphrase in essay writing.
La empresa va a aplicar un ERE temporal, es decir, va a suspender contratos durante seis meses.
The company is going to implement a temporary lay-off plan, that is, it's going to suspend contracts for six months.
Dicho de otro modo, el sistema actual recompensa precisamente lo que dice combatir.
Put another way, the current system rewards precisely what it claims to fight against. (op-ed)
Concluding — en definitiva, en suma, en conclusión, finalmente
The closers. En conclusión and en resumen are the unmarked workhorses for student essays and reports. En definitiva is the peninsular favourite for serious argumentation — it is the closest thing to a stamp of competence in formal writing. En suma and en última instancia are one notch up in formality.
En conclusión, ambas hipótesis presentan limitaciones y ninguna debe darse por concluyente.
In conclusion, both hypotheses present limitations and neither should be taken as conclusive.
En definitiva, lo que está en juego no es una cifra presupuestaria, sino un modelo de país.
Ultimately, what is at stake is not a budget figure but a model of country. (op-ed)
Finalmente, conviene recordar que las cifras provisionales pueden variar al cierre del ejercicio.
Finally, it is worth remembering that the provisional figures may vary at year-end. (formal)
The conclusion move can only be made once per text. Stacking en conclusión, en resumen, en definitiva in three consecutive sentences reads as parody. Pick one and stop.
A peninsular essay scaffold
For a B2 opinion essay (200–300 words on a typical DELE B2 or Cambridge B2 First prompt), this scaffold works almost every time:
- En primer lugar, … (open the body)
- Además / asimismo, … (add a second point)
- Sin embargo / no obstante, … (counter-argument)
- Por (lo) tanto, … or Así pues, … (inference)
- En definitiva, … (close)
One connector per move, in roughly that order. A reader scans the connectors and immediately sees the shape of your argument. For the deeper inventory of formal-academic chunks (cabe destacar, conviene señalar, dicho esto), see the formal connectors page.
Common Mistakes
❌ Por otra parte, los datos contradicen esta tesis. (intending strong contrast)
Por otra parte is additive ('another related point'), not adversative. A Spanish reader expects another supporting argument after it.
✅ Sin embargo, los datos contradicen esta tesis.
However, the data contradict this thesis.
❌ De ahí que muchos jóvenes han tenido que volver a casa de sus padres.
De ahí que ALWAYS takes the subjunctive — han is indicative.
✅ De ahí que muchos jóvenes hayan tenido que volver a casa de sus padres.
That is why many young people have had to move back in with their parents.
❌ En conclusión, en resumen, en definitiva, el modelo no funciona.
The conclusion move can only be made once. Stacking three conclusion connectors reads as parody.
✅ En definitiva, el modelo no funciona.
Ultimately, the model doesn't work. (one connector is enough)
❌ Asi mismo, propone una reforma del sistema. (formal essay)
The connector is asimismo (one word, no accent on the i). Así mismo (two words, accent on the a) means 'just like that'.
✅ Asimismo, propone una reforma del sistema.
Likewise, it proposes a reform of the system.
❌ A saber el artículo 14, el artículo 27 y el artículo 35. (in casual speech)
A saber is formal/academic. In conversation, use por ejemplo or en concreto.
✅ Por ejemplo el artículo 14, el 27 y el 35.
For example article 14, 27 and 35.
❌ Debido a que llovía mucho, suspendimos el partido, por consiguiente reembolsamos las entradas. (stacked formal connectors in a chat)
The connector density and register are too formal for casual speech. In a chat: como llovía mucho, suspendimos el partido y devolvimos las entradas.
✅ Como llovía mucho, suspendimos el partido y devolvimos las entradas.
Since it was raining hard, we cancelled the match and refunded the tickets. (conversational)
Key Takeaways
- Discourse connectors work along two axes simultaneously: function (what move you are making) and register (neutral vs formal). Pick the move first, then the register slice.
- Spanish tolerates higher connector density than English. Don't try to "vary" connectors English-style — Spanish formal prose expects them to be visible and frequent.
- The B2 essay scaffold en primer lugar… además… sin embargo… por (lo) tanto… en definitiva is a reliable backbone. Internalise it and adapt.
- Por otra parte is additive, not adversative. For genuine contrast use sin embargo, en cambio or no obstante.
- De ahí que locks the subjunctive — non-negotiable. It is the one mood trap inside the discourse-connector inventory.
- Asimismo is the one-word formal connector for "likewise." Don't confuse it with así mismo (two words) or a sí mismo (three).
- The conclusion move is one connector, one place. Stacking en conclusión, en resumen, en definitiva reads as parody.
- Stack connectors within a family, not across it: contrast + pivot + salience is professional; two contrasts in a row is redundant.
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Start learning Spanish→Related Topics
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